The New York Mets face challenging decisions as they prepare for their 2025 roster, particularly regarding first baseman and the potential for a long-term contract.
According to Bleacher Report’s Erik Beaston, he is expected to remain in Queens despite becoming a free agent this winter. However, his future with the Mets may be influenced by the outcome of Juan Soto’s situation.
“The 2019 NL Rookie of the Year and two-time Home Run Derby champion has consistently stated his intention to stay in New York, referring to it as his ‘home’ before this summer’s All-Star Game,” Beaston noted. “Alonso is aiming for a contract around $200 million, but if the Mets sign Soto, the chances of bringing Alonso back would significantly decrease.”
In 2024, Alonso did not achieve the breakout season he anticipated. Although he played in all 162 regular-season games for the first time, he recorded a career-low .788 OPS. Nonetheless, he still managed to hit 34 home runs, 31 doubles, 88 RBIs, and score 91 runs in 695 plate appearances.
Spotrac estimates his market value at nearly $175 million over six years.
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What Pete Alonso Means to the Mets’ Lineup
Alonso’s 2024 season was not only his least productive when measured by OPS but also underperformed according to FanGraphs’ WAR metric. Between 2019 and 2022, he achieved a WAR of at least 3.5 on three occasions, but this figure fell to 2.8 in 2023 and dropped further to 2.1 this past season.
Despite this decline, Alonso’s impact since his debut in 2019 cannot be ignored. His 53 home runs as a rookie set a franchise record, and he holds the single-season RBI record for the Mets with 131 RBIs in 2022.
Since 2019, Alonso has hit 226 home runs, ranking behind only David Wright (242) and Darryl Strawberry (252) in Mets history. His durability and consistent power have been vital to New York’s overall offensive output. Throughout his career, the right-handed hitter has never completed a full season with fewer than 152 games played, 34 home runs, or 88 RBIs.
Could the Mets Sign Both Pete Alonso & Juan Soto?
The Mets have been frequently linked to Juan Soto over the past few months, positioning them as a significant competitor to the New York Yankees in retaining the outfielder.
If the Mets successfully sign Soto with an irresistible offer, it raises the question of whether Pete Alonso will be playing elsewhere in 2025 and beyond. This scenario is plausible, especially considering that acquiring both Soto and Alonso could exceed $700 million. However, it’s a pursuit that Mets owner Steve Cohen may still consider.
“I bet he goes for both,” remarked a league executive familiar with Cohen (but not affiliated with the team) in a conversation with SNY’s Andy Martino on February 18.
Cohen has demonstrated a willingness to invest heavily when deemed necessary. Before the 2023 season, the Mets spent nearly $500 million in free agency. Additionally, if the Carlos Correa deal had materialized, it could have increased their spending by another $200-300 million.
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